Australia: Emergency crews responding to bushfire in the City of Swan outside Perth, Western Australia, as of March 19

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) has issued an Emergency Warning for a bushfire in the City of Swan near Perth, Western Australia, as of March 19. The fire started near Toodyay Road in Gidgegannup during the early afternoon March 19 and is moving in a westerly direction; the fire is neither contained nor controlled as of the afternoon of March 19. Around 120 firefighting personnel are on site tackling the blaze. The bushfire is threatening homes in the area and the alert level has been upgraded as the fire intensity has increased.

A bushfire Emergency Warning is in effect in the area bounded by Haddrill Road to the north, Railway Crescent to the west, Stock Road, Neuman Road, and Toodyay Road to the south, and Red Hill Quarry to the east in parts of Red Hill, Millendon, Herne Hill, and Baskerville in the City of Swan. Bushfire Watch and Act warnings are in place for areas surrounding the emergency warning area, including the area bounded by Stock Road to the north, Oakover Road to the south, and Railway Crescent to the west in parts of Herne Hill and Middle Swan and the area bounded by Burgess Road to the north, Toodyay Road to the south, Scott Road to the east, and Red Hill Quarry to the west in parts of Gidegegannup in the City of Swan.

The DFES has instructed people in the Emergency Warning area to leave immediately if the way is clear. People are advised to evacuate in a westerly direction. People in the Watch and Act areas are also being advised to leave if they are not prepared. An evacuation center has been established at the Brown Park Recreation Complex on Salisbury Road in Swan View. If it is unsafe to leave, residents should shelter in their homes, away from the firefront, and ensure that escape is possible if the opportunity arises. Some roads may be closed in the warning areas. The DFES may extend or rescind warnings and evacuation orders over the coming hours and days. Authorities have not provided an estimated containment date for the fire; further fire growth is possible.

The status of roads can change over the coming hours and days; authorities could close routes within the fire complex and evacuate more communities due to fire activity and response operations needs. Traffic disruptions are also likely during reentry periods after authorities lift evacuation orders. Low visibility from smoke and possible ashfall could contribute to traffic delays and congestion in the region.

Smoke and ashfall from bushfires may cause poor air quality in the impacted parts of Western Australia. Power outages and utilities that rely on electricity could experience outages within and near the wildfire complex.

Smoke from fires is a mixture of gases and fine particles from burning trees, plants, and possibly building materials. Such smoke can hurt the eyes, irritate the respiratory system, and worsen chronic heart and lung diseases. Smoke may also worsen symptoms for people with preexisting respiratory conditions, such as allergies, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).